Mungo Bridge: Aftermath of New Bridge

Before the Mungo Bridge collapsed three years ago, the Wulango area had been a quiet place with few inhabitants around the river Mungo. The only bust activity was the digging of sand of many buyers came from the Southwest and Littoral to buy. After the bridge collapsed, the young men who were involved in sand digging used their initiative to get people cross over from one end to the other through the canoe which became the one thing to do for some time before the pontoon bridge was placed over the river. Because of the population that used to be around that vicinity, some swift business persons quickly installed restaurants and bars around the area. Sometimes people who were afraid to cross the river through a canoe would get into the bar, drink a bottle of bear in the name of gathering courage to cross the river in a canoe. The place became a big and busy area. Business was booming. Police posts were placed at the two ends of the pontoon bridge. Truly these police officers made plenty of money from drivers who drove “clandos” to the southwest and other places. No vehicle could cross the pontoon without being inspected by the police officers. When the construction of the new bridge started, the population around that area increased. Business persons had many customers. The sand diggers and the workers of Six International Construction Company during break would buy food from the restaurants and drinks.
It is now few weeks after the inauguration of the new bridge, business in the Wulannga quarters is in a slum. The water level has increased and the number of sand diggers has dropped, Six International workers are almost through with their activities, though their machines are still in place. The engineer in charge of the construction work said they have finished except for the planting of grass on the walls on the bridge and creation of gutters so that rain water does not remain on the bridge. The rest of the material left he said they also want to hand it to the administration. In a couple of days the work will be through and the workers will all return to their areas Talking to Didier Zamah who sells food and drinks with his mother Esther Zamah, he said for now they cannot really evaluate the business in that area though they now have limited customers, but are giving one month to see how business will look like. Didier and his mother had moved to that area after the collapse of the bridge because business was moving well. They have even made their home there. “We have not started feeling the impact of the new bridge in our business. Maybe when the Six International Workers will finally go away then we shall feel the impact.” For now the sand boys eat al the times from morning to evening. In spite of it he said they do not have any intention to return to Bonaberi where they came from.
Rose Ndobo, sells in a store around the area, she joined her brother after the collapse of the bridge. The brother does fast food while she cooks heavy meal. “Our principal customers are the sand diggers and company workers .I really do not have the intention to return because we are already established here”, she said. He has been selling Soya in the area even before the bridge collapsed. Senawa Kabala said “I am stuck to this place; this is my home I have been here and will always be here. Though I don’t stay here, my source of livelihood is here”.
Esther Zamah said she cannot leave the area, though they do not have schools and water. She said the area has gained population and would wish that at least a primary school be created in the area for their children. They go right to Douala or Bekoko to buy water to drink and they also use the river Mungo.
The police post are still in the place, though their rate of bribery has dropped. It was insinuated that they suspected the first collapse of the bridge was intentional so they have to watch over against any such acts

EFFA TAMBENKONGHO